HS2 trains ‘will stop in Chesterfield’, report to say

Computer-generated visuals of a high speed train. HS2. For editorial usage only.

Published:09:49Updated:10:55Thursday 07 July 2016

HS2 trains will stop in Chesterfield - and the canal basin will be saved - a report on major changes to the £55bn project is expected to say.

The town will be served by a spur off the main line that will join existing tracks at Clay Cross.

High speed trains will pass through Chesterfield on the way to Sheffield city centre before rejoining the HS2 route to the east of Barnsley.

The changes come after a successful campaign for a switch from a planned stop at Meadowhall to Sheffield city centre.

The ‘Sheffield loop’ is set to save £1bn compared to a station at Meadowhall.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “HS2 will go to Manchester and Leeds but I know opinion in South Yorkshire is divided about how the new railway can best serve that region with passionate arguments being made for a station at either Meadowhall or Sheffield city centre.

“After listening to those views and studying the options Sir David Higgins has recommended that HS2 should to go Sheffield Midland station and the line moved further east. This could have additional advantages like a new high speed service to Chesterfield and reduce journey times for services heading to Leeds, York and Newcastle. It also opens up the possibility of running high speed trains from Sheffield to Leeds by building a link back onto the main HS2 line north of Sheffield.

“I will now consider this report in detail and make an announcement on the full HS2 Phase 2 route later this year so this vital project can move forward and help support the Northern Powerhouse. I will ensure HS2 Ltd engages closely with communities along the newly proposed route to provide them with the necessary support and information as quickly as possible.”

Journey times from Chesterfield to London will fall to about 1h 15m.

At the same time, the main north-south route will be shifted east, the report is expected to show, following the M1 and then the M18 south of Doncaster.

The shift is set to preserve the canal basin, the report is expected to show.

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